Electrolytic condenser



April 9, 1935. R. c. SPRAGUE El AL ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSER Filed April 22, 1952 Patented Apr. 9, 1935' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,997,185 ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSER Robert Chapman Sprague and John F. McCann, North Adams, Mass, assignors to Sprazue Specialties 00., North Adams, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 22, 1932, Serial No. 608,948

7 Claims. (01. 175-315) Our invention relates to electrolytic devices and slightly to the inside and beyond the outer end more particularly to improvements in the conof the tubular extension ll. struction of electrolytic condensers, and to means The plug I2 is provided with a central bore |2a to secure them to a base panel. through which protrudes an extension l5 of an 5 One object or our invention is to provide a anode assembly lS-later to be more fully de- 5 condenser in which the component parts are of scribed-said extension being secured in place simple and inexpensive mechanical construction, by crimping the sides of the neck H diametriand are adapted to be easily and quickly ascally oppos eseh other as t whereby sembled. the said plug thus forms a liquid and gas tight Another object is to provide a novel form of seal be w en the neck II d the p and 10 construction for the anode of such condensers, also about the extension i5 of the anode assemwhich shall be of simple form and easy to asy- This crimping o the eck ll about the semble and which permits the use of very thin plu I2 ma be a p d by spin n squ zmaterial for the efiective anode surface. 18, d other Well-known means, and the Word 15 Another object of my invention is to provide rimp n th la s sh u d prise su h 15 simple and effectual sealing and insulating means modificationagainst escape of liquids or gases between the The other end of the Container is p ided container and the electrode of such devices. With a Circular p Preferably f tal. t

A further object is to provide a novel vent for mi -P r n of w h forms a pp d dethe escape of gases formed during the operation pression 2|, which fits inside of the container I0 20 of h d rs at 22. The free edge of the cap 20 is preferably A further object is to provide a condenser havsp over or otherwise secured to the Cooperating ing a liquid electrolyte and adapted to be mountdge of the container.

ed in various axial positions. For this purpose the container before the as- Another object is to provide simple clamping se y s provided with a rim which is pe p 25 or mounting means to secure the devic to a diculartoits axis (see Fig. la), and which is spun it bl b r panel, together with the cap. After the cap 20 and Further objects will appear with the progress container III are thus secured to each other, their of the specifications, of which the following draw- Combined edges are p downwards over the mg forms a part, I outside of the container, thereby forming a liquid 30 In the drawing: and gas tight seal as at 23. Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a con- The container is almost completely filled with denser embodying our invention. a suitable liquid electrolyte 21.

Fig. la is a vertical section of the capped-end e diameter of the Container s p e y 85 o! the container. slightly reduced near its top edge at 25 and a Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view or an plurality of minute holes 25 are conveniently anode of the preferred form. located about the circumference of the portion Fig. 3 is a. perspective view of one end f the 24. These holes are covered by a band 26 of rubcondenser, also showing one form of clamping her or other resilient material, this arrangement means for the condenser. Pr vi in for an c pe for any s whi h may 40 Fig.4isapartly sectional view of another form accumulate during p ation of the condenser. f clamping means However the band 26 effectually prevents any Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another form escape "P the electrolyte 9 the access of 0011- f clamping mama tariiillraltliong fromfthe 1outside. Fi I t er ormo ven s own in g. aconsiss 45 mf s sh wzi g new of the clamping of a washer shaped piece of wax impregnated cloth 25' interposed between the inside of the In 3 pteferred form of our g as container ID and the cap 20 before the spinning shown In Fig. 1, the condenser comprises a cyor crimping operations on these parts.

lm metalhc container, which Preferably The minute pores or holes in the cloth afford 50 Constitutes the cathode of the Condenser and 1S escape for the gas accumulated during operation p vi at one end with a reduced neck or of the condenser and the wax with which the bular extension A s Provided in Such cloth is impregnated effectively prevents leakage bular extension consists of a plug 12 or rubber of the liquid electrolyte.

or other resilient material, fillingand extending The anode assembly I6 which is supported in- 55 the plug H by means of its extension 65, comprises a frame it having an inverted U shape. The anode proper consists of aluminum foil id of relatively small thickness which is folded back and forth upon itself in the manner of accordion pleating, and riveted or otherwise secured to the legs of the U shaped member at i9|9. By this method of folding of the anode a considerable length of foil may be compactly placed in a small space, thus providing an anode of large capacity. At the same time a relatively thin aluminum foil of the order of thickness of only 2 to 3 thousandths of an inch can be used, as its eflicient support. and stiffening by the frame it makes it unnecessary to impart such rigidity to the aluminum foil as to make it selfsupporting.

To properly center the anode assembly there is provided on the upper end of the frame It a properly perforated insulating washer 28 of mica or other suitable material which contacts with its edges with the container wall and thereby maintains the anode assembly in proper spaced relation to the latter. Instead of using for the spacing of the anode assembly a washer 28 as above described, the anode assembly may be encircled-by suitable insulating bands 29-29, for instance, of rubber.

Should it be found desirable to impart a greater degree of rigidity to the anodel8 than is afforded by the bands 29-29, a punched strip 55 of thin hard rubber or celluloid adapted to slip over the anode i8 is used. The strip 55 is provided with two lugs 55-56 which lay along the edges of the frame El, and a slot 51 which permits the strip to be placed over the anode assembly I 6. The strip 55 is flexed to enter the container i 0, whereby the sides of the slot 51 support the foil l8 and keep its edges in alignment.

It should be noted that the extension 85 is preferably an integral portion of the frame ii, thereby affording a very simple construction. Outside terminals can be easily attached to the extension l5. For instance, the extension may be provided with a hole 85w through which a wire may be conveniently threaded or a metal con= necting strip may be riveted, or the extension itself may form a threaded terminal to be pro vided with a nut.

In addition to the anode proper l8 being of aluminum or other film-forming metal, the frame 7 i1 and its integral extension [5 is also of such metal. The container as may be of filming or non-filming metal.

It should also be noted that the amount of electrolyte and the disposition of the anode are so selected that the, whole efl'ective anode is submerged in the electrolyte in both horizontm and vertical positions of the condenser, thereby the anode assembly is preferably so disposed that its lower and upper edges are respectively equi-distantly disposed from the bottom of the container and the top, and that sufiicient space is left between the side edges of the assembly and the wall of the container.

The condenser of our construction is adapted to be mounted both vertically and horizontally, or in any intermediate position.

Fig. 3 illustrates, for instance, one form of mounting whereby the condenser is supported by a. clamp with its long axis in a horizontal plane, although by the same means the condenser may be held in a vertical position. The clamp 30 adapted to gird the body of the container it consists of an open ring terminating in memes two angles iii-3 i, the end portions 32-32 having holes 33-33 for their fastening to a panel or other base, whereas the intermediate portions 3 i '3 i of the angles are punched to hold a screw 3d and a nut 35 to clamp the container it.

It should be noted that even in horizontal position some of the holes 225 (namely, those which are uppermost and thus uncovered by the electrolyte) will permit escape of the gases.

Fig. 4 illustrates another method of mounting the condenser. In this case the container neck is provided with an intermediate threaded portion so, the end i i of the neck and its associated parts being formed as described in connection with Fig. 1. The threaded portion 46 protrudes through a hole 42 of the panel or base 43 upon which the condenser is to be mounted, and a nut M, cooperating with the threaded portion 60, clamps the condenser securely to the base. It should be well understood that again horizontal, vertical or intermediate mounting of the condenser is possible.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate still another means for clamping a condenser; in this form of construction the clamping means are secured to the panel or base and become a permanent part thereof,- on the other hand the condenser can be conveniently removed from the clamp.

The clamping means comprises a ring memher 45, open at one end and provided with two offsets 4H6, punched to hold a screw 67 and its nut d8, whereby the member '45 may be securely fastened about the container id of the condenser.

The other end of the member 45 is partially closed by portions 50-50, preferably integrally formed therewith. Extending outwardly from and perpendicular to the portions 59-40 are two tongues 5i-5i, preferably also integral with the member d5. The tongues 5l-5l are circular in shape and concentric with the clamp member to and have short extensions 52-52, which after said tongues are inserted through a hole in the base or panel to which the device is attached, prevent its withdrawal therefrom. It should be noted that tapered edges 53-53 are provided for the extension 52 to take care of the thickness of the panel.

The inner edges 53-53 of the extensions 52-42 engage the panel or base at an acute angle, so that outward bending, necessary to retain the clamp in place, further forces the edges 53-53 slightly into the base. In this manner rotation of the clamp is prevented and such fixed relation of the clamp to the base is not changed by insertion or removal of a condenser.

While we have described particular embodiments of our invention and illustrated an electrolytic condenser having a liquid electrolyte, it should be well understood that our invention is susceptible of variations and changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts thereof and is applicable in full or in part to other electrolytic condensers, as well as other electrolytic devices in general, and therefore the appended olaims should be construed'as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

Notice is hereby given that certain of the novel features disclosed in the present application, namely, the anode construction, the two types of venting means, and the mounting means, are respectively claimed in our co-pending applications Serial No. 724,591; Serial No. 724,592; Serial No. 724,593, and Serial No. 724,594 filed May 8, 1934, and filed as divisions hereof.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrolytic condenser having a metallic container provided with an integral projection iorming a sleeve, and an electrolyte and a filmforming electrode within said container, said electrode having an extension projecting through said sleeve and a soft rubber plug interposed between said sleeve and said extension, said sleeve being orimped around said plug to form axially extending oppositely disposed ridges.

2. In an electrolytic condenser, a metallic container having an end portion forming a sleeve and an electrolyte therein, and a crimped aluminum ioil anode submerged in said electrolyte, an aluininum frame to support said toil, said frame having an integral extension, and a soft rubber plug within said sleeve, said sleeve being crimped around said plug to Iorm opposing axial ridges, said plug supporting said anode by means of said extension.

3. An electrolytic condenser comprising a cylindrical metallic container having a reduced end portion forming a sleeve, 9. film-forming electrode assembly in said container, said assembly comprising a frame of rectangular cross-section, said irame having an integral extension projecting through said sleeve, and a soft rubber plug within said sleeve and surrounding said extension, said sleeve being squeezedaround said plug to form axially extending ridges to provide between said sleeve and said extension a liquidand air-tight seal.

4. An electrolytic condenser having a metallic container having a sleeve extension, and an anode assembly comprising a thin aluminum foil crimped in the iorm of an accordion pleating, a rod-shaped member of uniform cross-section connected to said pleating, a rubber plug in said sleeve through which said rod extends, said sleeve being crimped around said plug to form axiafly extending ridges.

5. An electrolytic condenser having a metallic container provided with an integral projection forming a sleeve, and a film-forming electrode within said container, a rod of uniform crosssection connected to said electrode, a plug of resilient material disposed in said sleeve, said rod extending through said plug, said sleeve being squeezed around said plug to form ridges extending axially substantially to the full extent of said sleeve and said plug.

6. In an electrolytic condenser, a metallic container having a tubular extension, an electrode and an electrolyte in said container, an electrical connection member ior said electrode projecting through said tubular extension, and a plug of gasket material interposed between said projecting member and said tubular extension, said tubular extension being crimped in its portion surrounding the plug to form axial ridges efiecting a tight seal between said member, plug and extension.

-7. In an electrolytic condenser, a metallic container provided at its bottom with a tubular extension oi deformable material and uniform thickness throughout its length, an electrode and an electrolyte in said container, an electrical connection memberior said electrode projecting through said tubular extension, and a soit rubber plug interposed between said projecting member and said tubular extension, said tubular extension being crimped in its portion surrounding the plug to form axial ridges, eflecting a tight seal between said member, plug and extension.

R. C. SPRAGUE. JOHN F, MCCANN. 

